There isn’t much to say about this one. The most interesting thing that happened was Lou Piniella’s ejection in the 6th inning.

Virgil Vasquez started for the Pirates and allowed a majestic 2-run shot to Derrek Lee in the first. After that, he was fine, but the 2 runs would be all the Cubs needed. I watched Vasquez warm up in the bullpen and had a good view of his pitches from center field tonight. His fastball has virtually nothing–he has to locate it perfectly to be effective. He does, however, have a solid mix of breaking pitches that can keep hitters off balance. When he throws the fastball over the heart of the plate, though, bombs away.

The Pirates scratched out a run in the bottom of the first via a McCutchen double and Moss single, but that would be all they’d muster against Cubs starter Randy Wells. Wells appeared to get stronger as the game went on–the Bucs hit him well early and looked baffled in the later innings. Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg pitched a harmless 8th and 9th, respectively.

Fukudome also homered of Vasquez in the 6th to make the Cubs’ lead 3-1. The ball landed literally one seat away from where Evan and I were sitting. One problem: we had vacated our seats to grab Primanti’s that inning.

Anyway, after that, Soto hit a two-out triple as Garrett Jones came up empty on a diving attempt in left. (Jones went 0-for-4 out of the 3-hole tonight, which was weird). After an intentional walk to the 8-hitter, the pitcher hit a grounder off Virgil’s glove. He stumbled, then gunned to first. The play was very, very close and the call was an emphatic OUT (saving the Pirates a run). Lou came out of the dugout and promptly went nuts, which was entertaining. He was tossed after slamming his hat into the dirt. The thousands of Cubs fans that had invaded PNC Park (happens every time they play here, which irritates me) were both up in arms at the call and very vocal in their support of Lou. Crazy scene.

The only other notable event of the night: Joel Hanranhan made his Bucco debut. He allowed a leadoff hit but then induced a DP and a K. Looked fine.

Unfortunately, the Bucs couldn’t use the controversial call and the new reliever to their benefit, and the Cubs came away with the series win.